Online Reporter
Zimpapers Reporter
THE licencing of community radio stations is a clear reflection of the Second Republic’s policy and philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere has said.
He made the remarks during a tour of Lyeja FM in Hwange, Matabeleland North Province on Friday.
Lyeja FM is one of 14 community radio stations licenced by the Government and has emerged as a model of inclusive development by giving marginalised communities a platform to air their voices, preserve culture and access information relevant to their daily lives.
“Let me emphasise the importance of community radio stations in terms of informing and preservation of our languages as a people and also in terms of entertainment and education that comes with the establishment of community radio stations,” said Dr Muswere.
“For us as a country, the national policy and philosophy is to ensure that we leave no one and no place behind.”
The minister said the Government has deliberately prioritised broadcasting in all the country’s 16 officially recognised languages as Zimbabwe works towards attaining upper middle-income status by 2030.
He said community radio stations play a critical role in driving local development and encouraging citizen participation in political, social and economic processes within their areas of coverage.
“Radio plays a bigger role, and I want to emphasise that as Government we will continue to support community radio stations, Lyeja FM included.
“This support will come in the form of technical capacity enhancement and training programmes to improve programming, presentation and coverage of national and district issues that affect the day-to-day lives of our people,” said Dr Muswere.
The minister said broadcasting institutions played a crucial role during the Covid-19 pandemic by educating communities about the dangers of the virus and countering misinformation.
“The nation won the Covid-19 war because of the resilience of its people and the commitment of those who worked tirelessly for the national cause. Most importantly, the broadcasting ecosystem helped to educate the public on the dangers of the pandemic,” he said.
Dr Muswere said community radio stations will again be critical as the country intensifies its fight against drug and substance abuse.
“Now we have a new menace – drug and substance abuse – and each and every Zimbabwean has a responsibility to play, including this community radio station,” he said.
Dr Muswere was accompanied by the Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo, senior Government officials and Zanu PF leaders.
